The butterfly survey season for 2026 has not long started, just over one month, however there is so much to report following 5 transects, with exciting, good news to share.
The year 2025 for butterflies, was very much a recovery year for them, mainly with an average to below average number performance, following a very wet year in 2024, where numbers consequently suffered. Even so early within the year it appears that, at Carymoor, it is going to be a great year, a record year too for some, as long as the weather is not so unfavourable for the remainder of spring and this summer.
The holly blue; Only 1 recorded in 2025. Record year 2015, total recorded 32. I have already recorded 17 in 2026.
Holly Blue
The orange tip; 34 recorded in 2025. Record year 2014, total recorded 66. I have already recorded 44 in 2026.
Orange Tip (Male)
The green-veined white; 14 recorded in 2025. Record year 2014, total recorded 141. I have already recorded 44 in 2026.
I went out on transect 5/5/26 and saw the first painted lady at Carymoor this year. Sightings in the South of England have been recorded since 25/4/26 following their epic migratory journey, taking advantage of the northerly winds, to cross the channel from Europe. The Painted Lady is a long-distance migrant. Each year, it spreads northwards from the desert fringes of North Africa, the Middle East, and central Asia, recolonising mainland Europe and reaching Britain and Ireland.
Painted Lady
Recent new hatching on transect; small copper, dingy skipper and the grizzled skipper. Last year I only recorded 4 grizzled skippers, this year I have recorded them for the first time within my last transect walk on 5/5/26, recording a total of 9. Wow! that is over double in one transect compared with a whole year of transect recordings.
Grizzled Skipper
Volunteer Julie still joins me on transect and recently joined by new volunteer, Sally. They both are in training to take on another new transect of their own, as there are key areas of interest that are not covered by the present transects on site. Their help and support has been great, also with their enthusiasm for butterflies equalling mine, they will be most successful and their data gathered will be of much value to Carymoor and an aid to help butterflies thrive.
Small Copper
Photos: Holly blue, grizzled skipper, small copper, painted lady feeding from the flowering chives within the vegetable garden, orange tip (male) feeding on a flowering vetch.
Best wishes Adrian
